Second only to Boston. Denver has size at every position, even Reggie has a 7’ wingspan, and every key player was with them last year.
Their weak spot in their starting lineup is Jokic but he’s huge, with good feet and hands, and he’s the best defensive rebounder in the league. Moreover, their entire defensive scheme is built around protecting him.
But now that Braun has a year under his belt he’s looking like a real positive defender. And Watson has improved enough offensively that he can play and he has elite defensive potential. Add in Zeke’s activity level and the Nuggets look to be building on the defensive momentum of last playoffs. Just now they are longer, younger, and play with more energy.
Probably not but they clearly have a top 10 defense arguable top 5 defense when they’re trying.
Man, the Nuggets were 15th in defensive rating last year. We all know how good they are at this point, we don’t have to start making shit up to justify it
If they a top five defense the entire season its a wrap
Doubtful
Really don’t see why Boston would be a shoe-in for #1. Grant Williams is a huge loss, and replacing Smart and Rob Williams with Jrue and Porzingis are downgrades IMO.
Not saying Denver is going to be #1 either, btw.
no that’s nonsense Jokic is the worst defensive center in the league
Has anyone tried putting Jokic in the pick n roll repeatedly?
If Denver have the 2nd best defense in the league this year they’re legitimately unbeatable lol
Like 67-15 regular season 16-3 playoffs type of unbeatable
They won the championship last year with an average defense in the regular season and an above average but not quite elite defense in the playoffs
Definitely not theres way better teams defensively right now and especially since I could see them slowing down there defensive intensity at some point this season. Top-10 for sure though.
One of the keys is that when Jokic is on the bench, they play a lineup where they can reasonably just switch everything.
If the Nuggets can have a top 5 defense they’ll be a dynasty. They’re a machine
lol crazy how the perception of this team changes so quickly.
Just last playoffs you had people saying Jokic and MPJ were traffic cones and couldn’t guard a PnR to save their life.
No way. Just put Rui on defense.
probably not. Jokic plays lazy defense in the regular season, i can easily see them being around the 10th spot though
Braun has a year under his belt he’s looking like a real positive defender
He was already a real positive defender last year in his rookie season. He was a defensive stud back in college.